Coprosma plant named ‘Lemon and Lime’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Coprosma  plant named ‘Lemon and Lime’ that is characterized by leaves that are yellow with green margins during the Summer and orange with green margins during the Winter.

Botanical classification: Coprosma.

Variety denomination: ‘Lemon and Lime’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Coprosmaplant botanically known as Coprosma and hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name ‘Lemon and Lime’.

The new cultivar was discovered in a cultivated area of Boskoop, TheNetherlands in 2007. ‘Lemon and Lime’ was discovered as a naturallyoccurring branch mutation of Coprosma ‘Evening Glow’ (not patented).

Asexual reproduction by tip cuttings of the new cultivar ‘Lemon andLime’ was first performed in 2007 in Boskoop, The Netherlands. Sincethat time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of thenew cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newCoprosma cultivar ‘Lemon and Lime’.

-   -   1. Coprosma ‘Lemon and Lime’ exhibits leaves that are yellow        with green margins during the Summer and orange with green        margins during the Winter.

The closest comparison cultivar is the parent plant Coprosma ‘EveningGlow’. The new cultivar ‘Lemon and Lime’ is distinguishable from‘Evening Glow’ by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Lemon and Lime’ has leaves that are orange with green        margins in the winter. The leaves of ‘Evening Glow’ are green        with tinges of orange, red and yellow in the winter.    -   2. ‘Lemon and Lime’ has leaves that are yellow with green        margins in the summer. The leaves of ‘Evening Glow’ are red with        dark green to purple margins in the summer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofCoprosma ‘Lemon and Lime’. The plant in the photograph shows an overallview of a 12 month old plant. The photograph was taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Coprosma cultivarnamed ‘Lemon and Lime’. Data was collected in Waikato, New Zealand from12 month old outdoor grown plants in 2.5 liter containers. The time ofyear was summer in the Southern Hemisphere and the average temperaturerange was 12 to 22 degrees Centigrade during the day and 4 to 16 degreesCentigrade at night. No photoperiodic treatments or growth retardantswere used. Color determinations are in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, except where generalcolor terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growingrequirements are similar to the species. ‘Lemon and Lime’ has not beentested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may beobserved with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Coprosma ‘Lemon and Lime’.-   Use: Ornamental perennial, evergreen shrub.-   Parentage: ‘Lemon and Lime’ is a naturally occurring branch mutation    of Coprosma ‘Evening Glow’.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rate: Slow.-   Plant shape: Broad upright inverted triangle.-   Growth habit: Freely branching, dense, bushy habit.-   Hardiness: Tolerant to −3 degrees Centigrade.-   Suitable container size.—2 to 4.5 liter container.-   Height: Average 1 m in height.-   Width: Average 1 m in width.-   Propagation: Tip cuttings.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Quantity.—Approximately 20.        -   Length.—Average 15 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average 3 mm.        -   Internode length.—10 mm.        -   Color (mature).—Orange 165C.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Pinching.—Yes.-   Foliage:    -   -   Texture.—Smooth, glossy.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Leaf shape.—Obovate.        -   Leaf apex.—Rounded.        -   Leaf base.—Rounded.        -   Leaf length.—Average 30 mm in length.        -   Leaf width.—12 mm in width.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Summer leaf color (upper surface).—3B with an inner margin            140B and an outer margin 141C.        -   Summer leaf color (lower surface).—3B with an inner margin            140B and an outer margin 141C.        -   Winter leaf color (upper surface).—33B with an inner margin            144B and an outer margin 141A.        -   Winter leaf color (lower surface).—33B with an inner margin            144B and an outer margin 141A.        -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Vein color.—165B.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate to high.        -   Stipules.—Absent.-   Flowers: Flowers have not been observed to date.-   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Coprosma have not    been observed for disease or insect resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Coprosma plant named ‘Lemon and Lime’as described and illustrated.